Atheism is Nothingness

[Julian0404]

Perhaps an atheist can share with me how it is they wake every morning, proceed through the day, achieve goals and milestones in life and all the time be looking forward to “Nothingness” when they die.

What can motivate a person to continue with the struggle if they truly believe that at the end, it will amount to “Nothingness”?

The “moment” is meaningless, if in the next moment death can remove you to “Nothingness”.

I can only imagine that the total existence and purpose of living as an atheist is to embrace as much of the material product of life as one can, believing that tomorrow may be “Nothingness”. But wouldn’t such a life become stale after the 1,000th bottle of the best wine, best cars, best food, best entertainment, best whatever you can afford ?

Is “Nothingness” the ultimate goal and achievement of a life led as an atheist ?

 

[Eleve]

Perhaps an atheist can share with me how it is they wake every morning, proceed through the day, achieve goals and milestones in life and all the time be looking forward to “Nothingness” when they die.

What can motivate a person to continue with the struggle if they truly believe that at the end, it will amount to “Nothingness”?

Well, this morning I woke up and I was hungry, so I had a bagel. There are a few papers that I have open on my laptop, which I’ve decided to read because they look interesting. My interest in one of the papers - derived my interest in its topic - motivated me to read the paper. I’m also motivated by, for example, my desire for a stable career, my love of music, and my belief in broad free speech protections.

I don’t see what my beliefs about eschatology have to do with it. I take it that Christians are motivated by many of the same things. For example, Christianity is a very important part of my sister’s life. She is pursuing degrees in French and History. She does this, as far as I know, because she is very interested in these subjects, and because she loves children and might like to be a teacher. I don’t see how her belief that she will have eternal life plays any part describing what motivates her to pursue her education. Thus I don’t see why it makes any less sense for atheists to be motivated in the same ways.

You might say we reject the idea that our achievements amount to nothing unless they’re infinitely extended in time.

 

[SonCatcher]

Don’t confuse Atheism for Nihilism.

This world is not nothingness. It is good and God made it so. One can certainly find meaning in seeking to better his family and community without attempting to ascertain it beyond his senses. Those of us who have faith certainly have a more complete joy available in our work, but that does not equate to unavailability of joy outside of faith.

 

[meltzerboy]

Perhaps an atheist can share with me how it is they wake every morning, proceed through the day, achieve goals and milestones in life and all the time be looking forward to “Nothingness” when they die.

What can motivate a person to continue with the struggle if they truly believe that at the end, it will amount to “Nothingness”?

The “moment” is meaningless, if in the next moment death can remove you to “Nothingness”.

I can only imagine that the total existence and purpose of living as an atheist is to embrace as much of the material product of life as one can, believing that tomorrow may be “Nothingness”. But wouldn’t such a life become stale after the 1,000th bottle of the best wine, best cars, best food, best entertainment, best whatever you can afford ?

Is “Nothingness” the ultimate goal and achievement of a life led as an atheist ?

Couldn’t a similar question be asked of the believer, namely, why should one care about any kind of temporary success or good fortune in life: academic grades and education, college graduation, lucrative and fulfilling profession, good physical health, loving family, close friendships, if all of it will one day be left behind for eternal salvation in heaven or damnation in hell? At least the atheist is sure in their own mind where they’re going or not going, while the believer may always be doubtful and, at times, fearful.

 

[billcu1]

I would not call God “nothingness” because “thing” is still involved in that concept. God is not a “thing” so he cannot be something or nothing.

 

[SonCatcher]

Couldn’t a similar question be asked of the believer, namely, why should one care about any kind of temporary success or good fortune in life: academic grades and education, college graduation, lucrative and fulfilling profession, good physical health, loving family, close friendships, if all of it will one day be left behind for eternal salvation in heaven or damnation in hell? At least the atheist is sure in their own mind where they’re going or not going, while the believer may always be doubtful and, at times, fearful.

Actually, relationships are one thing that you can “take with you.”

 

[Al_Moritz]

Well, this morning I woke up and I was hungry, so I had a bagel. There are a few papers that I have open on my laptop, which I’ve decided to read because they look interesting. My interest in one of the papers - derived my interest in its topic - motivated me to read the paper. I’m also motivated by, for example, my desire for a stable career, my love of music, and my belief in broad free speech protections.

I don’t see what my beliefs about eschatology have to do with it. I take it that Christians are motivated by many of the same things. For example, Christianity is a very important part of my sister’s life. She is pursuing degrees in French and History. She does this, as far as I know, because she is very interested in these subjects, and because she loves children and might like to be a teacher. I don’t see how her belief that she will have eternal life plays any part describing what motivates her to pursue her education. Thus I don’t see why it makes any less sense for atheists to be motivated in the same ways.

Well said

(And I am a Catholic.)

 

[Steinway]

That is why there are so few atheists: “According to a 2012 graph published by the Pew Research Center (an American Think Tank Organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides Government information on issues, attitudes and trends shaping the United States), people describing themselves as “atheist” represented 2% of the total US population (4). Via several analogous poll studies, it is evident that only a fraction of that figure represents those who truly believe that there cannot be a Supreme Creator - coupled with the belief that there is no life after death”:

ArguingWithAtheists.com

 

[minion]

Perhaps an atheist can share with me how it is they wake every morning, proceed through the day, achieve goals and milestones in life and all the time be looking forward to “Nothingness” when they die.

What can motivate a person to continue with the struggle if they truly believe that at the end, it will amount to “Nothingness”?

The “moment” is meaningless, if in the next moment death can remove you to “Nothingness”.

I can only imagine that the total existence and purpose of living as an atheist is to embrace as much of the material product of life as one can, believing that tomorrow may be “Nothingness”. But wouldn’t such a life become stale after the 1,000th bottle of the best wine, best cars, best food, best entertainment, best whatever you can afford ?

Is “Nothingness” the ultimate goal and achievement of a life led as an atheist ?

If I were an atheist, I would say I am truly free, because I can self-determine my own life without reference to a deity.

For me however, I would be a nihilist as well…life has no meaning, goodness is make-believe values of weaker cowards, and love is merely a human construct, a competition of self-fulfilling rivalries of the ego. All that matters is the act, and would either become a hedonist; or, if I was concerned with goodness, despite it being irrational, but didn’t want to do others harm, suicidal.

 

[Roscoe_Turner]

That is why there are so few atheists: “According to a 2012 graph published by the Pew Research Center (an American Think Tank Organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides Government information on issues, attitudes and trends shaping the United States), people describing themselves as “atheist” represented 2% of the total US population (4). Via several analogous poll studies, it is evident that only a fraction of that figure represents those who truly believe that there cannot be a Supreme Creator - coupled with the belief that there is no life after death”:

ArguingWithAtheists.com

Putting that in context though, it’s more than are Muslims, Buddhists, or Hindu in the U.S. Atheists make up about the same part of the population as Jews and Mormons.

religions.pewforum.org/reports

It is on the rise - pewforum.org/Unaffiliated/nones-on-the-rise.aspx

 

[ThinkingSapien]

Perhaps an atheist can share with me how it is they wake every morning, proceed through the day, achieve goals and milestones in life and all the time be looking forward to “Nothingness” when they die.

Well, threads on atheism are prohibited and this thread will probably be locked. A non-prohibited way of wording this might be

“how can some one that doesn’t hold the belief of eternal life be happy with the expectation of annihilation?” Or perhaps asking a question specifically about nihilism would be better.

What can motivate a person to continue with the struggle if they truly believe that at the end, it will amount to “Nothingness”?

Well, one not holding the belief of a deity doesn’t necessarily translate into the expectation of annihilation. Though annihilation is compatible with such a stance. Also not all people look at their life under the “struggle” paradigm and may see struggles as something that are occasional occurrences but not a way of life.

I can only imagine that the total existence and purpose of living as an atheist is to embrace as much of the material product of life as one can, believing that tomorrow may be “Nothingness”. But wouldn’t such a life become stale after the 1,000th bottle of the best wine, best cars, best food, best entertainment, best whatever you can afford ?

I think you are conflating “atheism” with “hedonism.” The two are not the same. Nor does one necessarily imply the other.

Is “Nothingness” the ultimate goal and achievement of a life led as an atheist ?

Nope. Rather than concentrate specifically on “atheist” I think you may get a better answer to your question looking into sociology and psychology.

 

[minion]

Well, one not holding the belief of a deity doesn’t necessarily translate into the expectation of annihilation.

How does this work?

I think you are conflating “atheism” with “hedonism.” The two are not the same. Nor does one necessarily imply the other.

What are the choices besides nihilism and hedonism for an atheist?

Nope. Rather than concentrate specifically on “atheist” I think you may get a better answer to your question looking into sociology and psychology.

Could you clarify?

 

[shadowlily]

I see it like this: all we have right now, is right now. Even if we could live forever, life would be an infinite series of nows, so if the nows aren’t worth anything, than neither would an infinite number of them be, right? So I try to live for the life I do have. My dreams and my goals and my hopes are real. Even if they’ll all be nothingness one day. And I try to live for other people, to be around people and have relationships with them and help them, that’s what makes life really worthwhile to me. I think in a way, people are infinite. They each have an entire experience of life, just like my entire everything I’ve experienced, but different, with thoughts, personalities, and needs different from mine. Also, every little thing I do, even when it seems like it makes no difference, is like a ripple in the ocean that gets bigger and bigger and effects things in ways I could never know, maybe a long time after I’m dead.

Yeah, sometimes I wish that there was a definite meaning to life, that I could know. Especially when there’s so much suffering in the world and no logical reason to believe good will come from it. I just kinda hope good will come from bad things anyway. And I try to believe that, no matter all the bad things that happen, the good things and the amazingness of existence itself will always be greater.

 

[shadowlily]

How does this work?

Most Buddhists, for example, are non-theists but believe in reincarnation. The idea actually makes an amount of sense: Our physical bodies are reused, so if our consciousnesses are made of some other material different from them, maybe they also could be reused. It’s possible, and if it were true it’d be rather awesome.

What are the choices besides nihilism and hedonism for an atheist?

Seeing the beauty and meaning that are in life, right now. Wouldn’t you say that your life has inherent value, in the natural material part of it, not just in the future after you die?

 

[shadowlily]

How does this work?

Most Buddhists, for example, are non-theists but believe in reincarnation. The idea actually makes an amount of sense: Our physical bodies are reused, so if our consciousnesses are made of some other material different from them, maybe they also could be reused. It’s possible, and if it were true it’d be rather awesome.

What are the choices besides nihilism and hedonism for an atheist?

Seeing the beauty and meaning that are in life. Wouldn’t you say that your life has inherent value, in the natural material part of it, not just in the future after you die?

You might say we reject the idea that our achievements amount to nothing unless they’re infinitely extended in time.

This. ^^

 

[ngill09]

The “moment” is meaningless, if in the next moment death can remove you to “Nothingness”.

This is a non-sequitur. The hidden premise is that an experience is meaningless if you cannot remember it forever. That premise is pretty weak.

But wouldn’t such a life become stale after the 1,000th bottle of the best wine, best cars, best food, best entertainment, best whatever you can afford ?

Is “Nothingness” the ultimate goal and achievement of a life led as an atheist ?

You seem very attached to material pleasure. This seems strange for a supposedly religious person.

 

[Semangelof]

…

I was looking at your location. Are you playing Lotro?

 

[ThinkingSapien]

ThinkingSapien;10786302:

Nope. Rather than concentrate specifically on “atheist” I think you may get a better answer to your question looking into sociology and psychology.

Could you clarify?

The questions you are asking are largely topics of concern in the area of psychology called “motivation theory.” I think you’ll find a lot of your answers by looking into it. Note that the information that you find isn’t specific to atheist, but tries to address these questions about humans.

ThinkingSapien;10786302:

Well, one not holding the belief of a deity doesn’t necessarily translate into the expectation of annihilation.

How does this work?

The question to look into is “What causes annihilation anxiety.” From there you can then look at non-religious people on an individual basis and see whether or not they are subject to the factors you find. Take note that a religious person could also fall victim to the same causes.

ThinkingSapien;10786302:

I think you are conflating “atheism” with “hedonism.” The two are not the same. Nor does one necessarily imply the other.
What are the choices besides nihilism and hedonism for an atheist?

From the wording of your question I get the feeling that your expectation is that people are generally going through a catalog of philosophies of life and selecting one from it. While there may be prescriptive elements to how some one lives their life I think you might want to look at it descriptively instead; some one whose life falls into a certain philosophical category may do so without the person specifically trying to fit into that category. So a person’s choices would not be limited to what I could enumerate here.

A some what related question for you. Let’s say you have a painting on the wall. Ultimately the painting will be destroyed whether from being discarded, damaged, decayed, or put through some other process. If this painting doesn’t contribute to your ultimate happiness then why have it? I ask this because questions like this come to mind when ever I read threads like this. So I figured I would share my question this time.

 

[empther]

An atheist can achieve a kind of relative peace of mind.
He adjusts to the popular social norms of the time and lives in harmony with people. He can avoid conflicts. By denying the reality of sin he can keep his sins and avoid being criticized for it by avoiding the people who disapprove. He can convince himself that there is no punishment after death.

But he cannot achieve peace of soul.

The soul has to thirst for God. The soul wants the infinite goodness and this is God.
The soul cannot achieve peace of soul by itself. The soul has three components: the body, the spiritual soul, and the love of God. Notice that the phrase “love of God” works in both directions, man’s love for God and God’s love for man.

A soul that does not turn itself entirely in God’s care sees death in his love of God component,
and death of the soul in the sense that it is not functioning as it should and this is death,
and death of the body in the sense that it is not functioning as it should and this is death.

 

[ThinkingSapien]

By denying the reality of sin he can keep his sins…]

One can readily engage in activities that are considered “sins” under Catholicism without engaging in any form of denial. Note that one need not be an atheist for this to occur. For example the use of contraceptives and birth control outside of NFP are often stated to be a “mortal sin” doing harm to one’s soul. One could be a Christian and unable to perceive their soul being harmed and not see the use of contraception as a sin.

Stating to the person that “The use of contraception is a mortal sin” by itself may not be enough for one to have the realization. Especially if the person has encountered numerous sects of Christianity that have labeled other seemingly innocuous actions as sin (ex: Some one from one Christian sect had informed me that learning to much is a sin). Rather to get a person to have this realization it may be first necessary to convince the person of more foundational matters before the person is in a state where he or she can understand and accept that an action is sinful